Alchemy was trying to produce a corpus subtile, a transfigured and resurrected body
A characteristic passage is to be found in De signal ura rerum.
It is clear enough from this material what the ultimate aim of alchemy really was: it was trying to produce a corpus subtile, a transfigured and resurrected body, i.e., a body that was at the same time spirit.-”
In this it finds common ground with Chinese alchemy, as we have learned from The Secret of I he Golden Flower.
There the main concern is the “diamond body,” in other words, the attainment of immortality through the transformation of the body.
The diamond is an excellent symbol because it is hard, fiery, and translucent. Orthelius-” tells us that the philosophers have never found a better medicament than that which they called the noble and blessed stone of the philosophers, on account of its hardness, transparency, and rubeous hue. ~Carl Jung, CW 12, Para 510-511
